After the repose of his Elder, Niphon went to the monastic state of [[Mount Athos]] sometime after 1335,<ref>Laiou-Thomadakis. ''[http://books.google.gr/books?ei=UIz8TpCNBIXpOfSYxbYB&hl=el&id=D2EbAAAAYAAJ&dq=niphon+athos+epirus&q=%22+Saint+Niphon+traveled+from+Epirus+to+Mount+%22#search_anchor Charanis Studies: Essays in Honor of Peter Charanis].'' Ed. Angeliki E. Laiou. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1980. pp.98. ISBN 978-0-8135-0875-7</ref> where he dedicated himself to greater [[Asceticism|asceticism]], under the guidance of the monastic [[Geronta|Elders]], Neilos Erichiotes, Theognostos and Maximos Kavsokalybites ("the Hut-burner," [[January 13]]),<ref name=synaxarion/><ref>{{el icon}} Μωυσή Μοναχού Αγιορείτου. ''[http://www.oodegr.com/oode/istoria/ekklisia/isyx_par_athw_apo_Palama.htm#29 Η ησυχαστική παράδοση στο Άγιον Όρος από τον Άγιο Γρηγόριο Παλαμά έως σήμερα.]'' 23-4-2008.</ref> settling in the cave of the venerable saint [[Peter the Athonite]], close to the [[Great Lavra (Athos)]].<ref name="synaxarion"/> Niphon was the author of the first biography of Maximos Kavsokalybites, his spiritual advisor.<ref>[[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Kallistos of Diokleia]]. ''"[http://books.google.ca/books?id=dGIbAAAAYAAJ&q=Kath%C4%93g%C4%93tria&dq=Kath%C4%93g%C4%93tria&source=bl&ots=vcMuXRGps4&sig=BewXksIdkWjXTASTVCD1hP97EOU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QmUcUPTJOYfp6gGVioGgCQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA St Maximos of Kapsokalyvia and Fourteenth-Century Athonite Hesychasm]".'' In: Kathegetria. Essays Presented to Joan Hussey for her 80th Birthday. Surrey, 1988. p.410. ISBN 978-1-871328-00-4.</ref>

After the repose of his Elder, Niphon went to the monastic state of [[Mount Athos]] sometime after 1335,<ref>Laiou-Thomadakis. ''[http://books.google.gr/books?ei=UIz8TpCNBIXpOfSYxbYB&hl=el&id=D2EbAAAAYAAJ&dq=niphon+athos+epirus&q=%22+Saint+Niphon+traveled+from+Epirus+to+Mount+%22#search_anchor Charanis Studies: Essays in Honor of Peter Charanis].'' Ed. Angeliki E. Laiou. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1980. pp.98. ISBN 978-0-8135-0875-7</ref> where he dedicated himself to greater [[Asceticism|asceticism]], under the guidance of the monastic [[Geronta|Elders]], Neilos Erichiotes, Theognostos and Maximos Kavsokalybites ("the Hut-burner," [[January 13]]),<ref name=synaxarion/><ref>{{el icon}} Μωυσή Μοναχού Αγιορείτου. ''[http://www.oodegr.com/oode/istoria/ekklisia/isyx_par_athw_apo_Palama.htm#29 Η ησυχαστική παράδοση στο Άγιον Όρος από τον Άγιο Γρηγόριο Παλαμά έως σήμερα.]'' 23-4-2008.</ref> settling in the cave of the venerable saint [[Peter the Athonite]], close to the [[Great Lavra (Athos)]].<ref name="synaxarion"/> Niphon was the author of the first biography of Maximos Kavsokalybites, his spiritual advisor.<ref>[[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Kallistos of Diokleia]]. ''"[http://books.google.ca/books?id=dGIbAAAAYAAJ&q=Kath%C4%93g%C4%93tria&dq=Kath%C4%93g%C4%93tria&source=bl&ots=vcMuXRGps4&sig=BewXksIdkWjXTASTVCD1hP97EOU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QmUcUPTJOYfp6gGVioGgCQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA St Maximos of Kapsokalyvia and Fourteenth-Century Athonite Hesychasm]".'' In: Kathegetria. Essays Presented to Joan Hussey for her 80th Birthday. Surrey, 1988. p.410. ISBN 978-1-871328-00-4.</ref>

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In 1345, Niphon was the [[w:protos (monastic office)|protos]]<ref group="note">The ''' ''protos'' ''' (Greek: πρώτος, "first, premier") is a monastic office at the Eastern Orthodox monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece. The office is assumed by a monk who is elected among the members of the ''Iera Epistasia'' ("Holy Administration") which functions as the executive committee of the ''Iera Koinotita'' ("Holy Community") — the governing body of Athos composed of representatives from each of the Athonite monasteries — to be the head of the Athonite monastic community. He wields certain ecclesiastical powers, takes part in patriarchal synods, and has the right to confirm and dismiss abbots, with the approval of the Patriarch of Constantinople, under whose jurisdiction [[Mount Athos]] functions as an autonomous monastic republic. In the past, the ''protos'' seems to have been given authority to [[ordain]] (''cheirotonia'') priests, but currently ordinations on Mount Athos are performed by the Archbishop of Thessaloniki.</ref> of [[Mount Athos]]. At that time Athos came under the protection of the Serbian Tsar [[w:Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia|Stefan Dusan]], who accused him for heresy and [[Bogomilism]], but he was successfully defended by [[Gregory Palamas]].<ref name="Stoy">Janet Hamilton, Bernard Hamilton, Yuri Stoyanov (Transl.). ''[http://books.google.gr/books?id=uH-8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA53&dq=niphon+athos&hl=el&sa=X&ei=tIb7TqTmI8igOoOYsfcB&ved=0CFwQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=niphon%20athos&f=false Christian Dualist Heresies in the Byzantine World, C. 650-c. 1450: Selected Sources].'' Manchester Medieval Sources Series. Manchester University Press ND, 1998. pp.53. ISBN 978-0-7190-4765-7.</ref>

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In 1345, Niphon was the [[Protos (monastic office)|Protos]] of [[Mount Athos]]. At that time Athos came under the protection of the Serbian Tsar [[w:Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia|Stefan Dusan]], who accused him for heresy and [[Bogomilism]], but he was successfully defended by [[Gregory Palamas]].<ref name="Stoy">Janet Hamilton, Bernard Hamilton, Yuri Stoyanov (Transl.). ''[http://books.google.gr/books?id=uH-8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA53&dq=niphon+athos&hl=el&sa=X&ei=tIb7TqTmI8igOoOYsfcB&ved=0CFwQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=niphon%20athos&f=false Christian Dualist Heresies in the Byzantine World, C. 650-c. 1450: Selected Sources].'' Manchester Medieval Sources Series. Manchester University Press ND, 1998. pp.53. ISBN 978-0-7190-4765-7.</ref>

In 1347-8 Niphon was tried and deposed from his position as protos after being accused by fellow monks of [[heresy]].<ref name="Kor">Korac, Dusan. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=d3VpAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y Mount Athos under the rule of Stephen Dusan].'' Serbian Studies. North American Society for Serbian Studies, 1993. p.81.</ref> He was succeeded by the Serbian monk Antonios. His [[deposition]] is regarded as either part of the struggles between rival religious factions that predated the Serbian control of the Athonite community or attempts of Stefan Dusan to gain control of Athos by appointing a Serbian official as its head.<ref name="Stoy"/><ref name="Kor"/> This intervention resulted in serious contradictions between the Greek dignitaries and the Serbs of [[Chilandari Monastery (Athos)|Chilandari]] monastery on Athos.<ref>Pavlikianov, Cyril. ''"[http://www.byzsym.org/index.php/bz/article/viewFile/899/795 The Athonite Period in the Life of Saint Romylos of Vidin]".'' Byzantina Symmeikta. Retrieved: 29 December 2011. (.pdf)</ref>

In 1347-8 Niphon was tried and deposed from his position as protos after being accused by fellow monks of [[heresy]].<ref name="Kor">Korac, Dusan. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=d3VpAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y Mount Athos under the rule of Stephen Dusan].'' Serbian Studies. North American Society for Serbian Studies, 1993. p.81.</ref> He was succeeded by the Serbian monk Antonios. His [[deposition]] is regarded as either part of the struggles between rival religious factions that predated the Serbian control of the Athonite community or attempts of Stefan Dusan to gain control of Athos by appointing a Serbian official as its head.<ref name="Stoy"/><ref name="Kor"/> This intervention resulted in serious contradictions between the Greek dignitaries and the Serbs of [[Chilandari Monastery (Athos)|Chilandari]] monastery on Athos.<ref>Pavlikianov, Cyril. ''"[http://www.byzsym.org/index.php/bz/article/viewFile/899/795 The Athonite Period in the Life of Saint Romylos of Vidin]".'' Byzantina Symmeikta. Retrieved: 29 December 2011. (.pdf)</ref>

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Latest revision as of 16:55, October 24, 2012

Saint Niphon of Mt. Athos (18th c. icon).

Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Niphon Kavsokalybites, also Niphon of Mount Athos ((Greek) Ὅσιος Νήφων ὁ Καυσοκαλυβίτης, 1315–1411) was a hieromonk of Mount Athos in Greece and a proponent of hesychastic theology. His feast day is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on June 14.[1]

Because he thirsted to learn about the monastic life, he went to the monastery of Geromerion (near the town of Filiates) where he entered into obedience under an ascetic Elder from Sinai. There he learned the canons of becoming a Hesychast, and the way of noetic prayer.[1]

After the repose of his Elder, Niphon went to the monastic state of Mount Athos sometime after 1335,[3] where he dedicated himself to greater asceticism, under the guidance of the monastic Elders, Neilos Erichiotes, Theognostos and Maximos Kavsokalybites ("the Hut-burner," January 13),[1][4] settling in the cave of the venerable saint Peter the Athonite, close to the Great Lavra (Athos).[1] Niphon was the author of the first biography of Maximos Kavsokalybites, his spiritual advisor.[5]

In 1347-8 Niphon was tried and deposed from his position as protos after being accused by fellow monks of heresy.[7] He was succeeded by the Serbian monk Antonios. His deposition is regarded as either part of the struggles between rival religious factions that predated the Serbian control of the Athonite community or attempts of Stefan Dusan to gain control of Athos by appointing a Serbian official as its head.[6][7] This intervention resulted in serious contradictions between the Greek dignitaries and the Serbs of Chilandari monastery on Athos.[8]

During 1355-63 he was again accused of heresy when his servant Bardarius revealed before dying that he had joined the Euchite movement, but he was defended by Patriarch Callistus I of Constantinople. It is considered unclear from contemporary accounts whether Niphon was a Euchite or Hesychast at that time.[9]

Niphon lived the rest of his life as a Hesychast, dying peacefully at the age of 96 in 1411 AD, glorified by gifts of wonderworking and clairvoyance.[1][10]

A service to St. Niphon exists in the hermitage of Kavsokalybion, where the cave of his asceticism can be located, as well as a small chapel in his honour.[11]

Hymn

Niphon, the God-bearer, is declared one of the Saints of Athos,
who lived the life of winged creatures in the confines of the Lavra,
and received from God the gift of prophecy.[note 1]